Proceedings of POWER2010
ASME Power
GAS TURBINE GAS FUEL COMPOSITION PERFORMANCE CORRECTION USING
WOBBE INDEX
Bryan Li Mike J. Gross
GE Energy GE Energy
Schenectady, New York, USA Moreland Hills, Ohio, USA
ABSTRACT
Gas turbine thermal performance is dependent on many
external conditions, including fuel gas composition. Variations
in composition cause changes in output and heat consumption
during operation. Measured performance must be corrected to
specified reference conditions prior to comparison against
performance specifications. The fuel composition is one such
condition for which performance corrections are required. The
methodology of fuel composition corrections can take various
forms.
One current method of correction commonly used is to
characterize fuel composition effects as a function of heating
value and hydrogen-to-carbon ratio. This method has been
used in the past within a limited range of fuel composition
variation around the expected composition, yielding relatively
small correction factors on the order of +/- 0.1%. Industry
trends suggest that gas turbines will continue to be exposed to
broader ranges of gas constituents, and the corresponding
performance effects will be much larger. For example,
liquefied natural gas, synthesized low BTU fuel, and bio fuels
are becoming more common, with associated performance
effects of +/- 0.5% or greater. As a result of these trends,
performance test results will bear a greater dependency on fuel
composition corrections. Hence, a more comprehensive
correction methodology is required to encompass a broader
range of fuel constituents encountered.
Combustion system behavior, specifically emissions and flame
stability, is also influenced by variations in fuel gas
composition. The power generation industry uses Wobbe Index
as an indicator of fuel composition. Wobbe Index relates the
heating value of the fuel to its density. High variations in
Wobbe Index can cause operability issues including
combustion dynamics and increased emissions. A new method
July 13-15, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA
POWER2010-27093
Thomas P. Schmitt
GE Energy
St. Johnsbury, Vermont, USA
for performance corrections using Wobbe Index as the
correlating fuel parameter has been considered.
Analytical studies have been completed with the aid of
thermodynamic models to identify the extent to which the
Wobbe Index can be used to correlate the response of the gas
turbine performance parameters to fuel gas composition.
Results of the study presented in this paper suggest that
improved performance test accuracy can be achieved by using
Wobbe Index as a performance correction parameter, instead of
the aforementioned conventional fuel characteristics.
Furthermore, a relationship between this methods accuracy
and CO2 content of fuel is established such that an additional
correction yields results with even better accuracy. This
proposed method remains compliant with intent of
internationally accepted test codes such as ASME PTC-22,
ASME PTC-46, and ISO 2314.
INTRODUCTION
The primary purpose of correction curves for a performance
test is to make the corrected test results independent of the
boundary conditions that persisted at the time of the test. As
such, power plant suppliers and customers work together using
thermodynamic models of the equipment and systems; the
resultant model and associated correction curve serves all
parties and cover a reasonably broad range of possible
boundary conditions. Boundary variables such as inlet air
temperature and humidity are easily characterized in the
thermodynamic models and simply accounted for via
conventional correction curves that have been well established
in the industry. Fuel gas composition is not as straightforward
since there are literally an infinite number of possible
composition mixtures, and since each mixture can have various
effects on the turbine systems. Variations in the gas
composition tend to affect the mass flow through the turbine,
1 Copyright 2010 by General Electric Company
the enthalpy of the products of combustion, thermodynamic
changes in turbine component performance, and the associated
changes in the response of the turbine control system. As such,
performance correction curves for gas composition can take
many forms.
Ideally, the corrections for gas composition would be based on
simply running the thermodynamic model with the test fuel and
then again with the reference fuel, and applying the ratio of
those two results to the measured performance. While this
model-based correction method is permitted by industry codes,
to date, it has not gained widespread industry acceptance.
Instead, most manufacturers have provided fuel composition
correction curves as a function of fuel heating value and fuel
hydrogen to carbon ratio. When the test gas composition is
reasonably close to the reference gas composition, this method
is suitable.
An alternate format for the fuel gas composition correction is to
express the performance changes as a function of the fuel
Wobbe Index. Wobbe Index represents the energy density of
the gas and is commonly used to gauge the extent to which a
given gas is compatible with a given combustion system
design. It has been proposed that Wobbe Index may also be
suitable as a means of correlating the performance effects that
variation in fuel composition can cause.
The purpose of this test study is validation of the Wobbe Index
to be used for performance correction application. Some of its
current applications in industry include combustion control and
gas blending. Its key value lies in being able to compare the
combustion energy output of fuel gases with different
compositions. This study explores the potential of Wobbe
Index as a supplement to current methods, or even replacement.
The current method of correction using lower heating value and
hydrogen to carbon ratio as well as the proposed method of
using Wobbe Index are explained in this paper. Test cases are
run using both methods and matched against a thermodynamic
model to evaluate their accuracy.
NOMENCLATURE
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
CH4 Methane
C2H6 Ethane
C3H8 Propane
C4H10 (i) Iso-butane
C5H12 (i) Pentane
H/C Hydrogen to Carbon Ratio
HHV Higher Heating Value
LHV Lower Heating Value
MS9001FB A heavy-duty gas turbine manufactured by
GE that operates at 50 Hz frequency.
N2 Nitrogen
PG9371 A designation used by GE to define the
model type of gas turbine. The PG9371 is a
type of MS9001FB
SG Specific Gravity
WI Wobbe Index
WI-CO2 Wobbe Index with Lines of Constant CO2
LOWER HEATING VALUE AND HYDROGEN TO
CARBON RATIO
A common method of correcting gas turbine performance for
fuel composition is based on the characteristics of lower
heating value and hydrogen to carbon ratio. These parameters
relate to turbine performance because of their effect on fuel
mass flow and specific heat of the products of combustion.
The resulting correction curves based on this method are a set
of three curves, each at a constant H/C. The graphs are shown
in Figures 1 and 2 for output and heat consumption,
respectively. On the curve H/C=3.75 in both Figures 1 and 2,
there is an initial point that is based on the design reference
condition. This design reference condition is normally
specified either by contract or expected operational condition.
Common sense would thus dictate that small variations are
expected from the design point and consequently, small
corrections. The remaining points that make the curves are
generated at a constant H/C above and below the design H/C (4
and 3.56 in this case), based off the design reference
composition.
Upon receiving the fuel analysis of samples taken in the field,
LHV and H/C values can be determined. To obtain the
correction factor for fuel composition, first, interpolation along
the constant H/C curves with the test LHV is required. Another
interpolation is then done between the constant H/C curves at
the test H/C. This will allow the determination of the
correction factor to be applied to measured performance
parameters.
Unusual gas compositions, high variation of fuel compositions,
and high variation from design conditions are becoming more
commonly experienced. This current method of correction may
not be suitable for such situations. Temporary solutions may
include building curves representative of the fuel that is
actually consumed during testing or adding additional points to
the existing correction curve. Rather, an updated correction
methodology can ensure that the processes with greatest
accuracy are utilized for thermal performance testing.
2 Copyright 2010 by General Electric Company
 heat1. It is highly applicable in industrial situations where there
Effect of Gas Fuel Composition on Output (LHV-H/C)
is high variation in fuel composition, such as multiple fuel
1.012
H/C=4: y = 1.4375334E-10x2 - 8.4985982E-06x +1.1148614E+00
sources or liquefied natural gas. An example of its application
H/C=3.75: y = 1.4520122E-10x2 - 8.5430996E-06x +1.1118051E+00
would be a combustion control system that modulates fuel flow
1.008 H/C=3.56: y = 1.4513435E-10x2 - 8.5303894E-06x +1.1088243E+00 depending on Wobbe Index to protect the system that may be
sensitive to fuel quality. Wobbe Index can be measured real-
Output Correction Factor

time using a Wobbe Index meter/analyzer. There are multiple

1.004
measurement techniques and approaches to obtain this number,
each with their advantages and disadvantages. But in general,
1
it will consist of a continuous calorimeter coupled with a
H/C=4
device that measures density of the fuel.
0.996
H/C=3.75

H/C=3.56 Generating correction curves based on Wobbe Index is a

0.992 continuation of the correction curves built with the LHV-H/C
17500 18500 19500 20500 21500 method. The fuel composition points that were used to create
LHV, BTU/lb
the LHV-H/C correction curves are used; in particular, their
Figure 1 fuel constituents and correction factors. Extra calculations are
Example Fuel Gas Composition Correction Curve for required to determine the HHV and SGfuel based on the fuel
Output Based on LHV and H/C ratio constituents. The Wobbe Index can then be calculated; the
resulting curve for output is plotted in Figure 3. The points that
make up the three H/C curves are now collapsed into a single
line that is quite linear, a visible difference from the LHV-H/C
Effect of Gas Fuel Composition on Heat Consumption (LHV-H/C)
correction curves. A single interpolation is done at the test
1.008
Wobbe Index to determine the correction factor. The same
H/C=4: y = 1.0206705E-10x2 - 6.0143450E-06x +1.0812581E+00 method is used to create the correction curve for heat
H/C =3.75: y = 1.0318697E-10x2 - 6.0479628E-06x +1.0789987E+00
consumption. Figure 4 shows the correction curve for heat
Heat Consumption Correction Factor

H/C=3.56: y = 1.0316616E-10x2 - 6.0384519E-06x + 1.0767876E+00

1.004 consumption created using the Wobbe Index.

1
H/C=4 Effect of Gas Fuel Composition on Output (WI)

H/C=3.75
0.996
H/C=3.56
1.008

0.992
Output Correction Factor

17500 18500 19500 20500 21500 1.004

LHV, BTU/lb
y = -0.00126198x + 1.06651230
Figure 2 1
Example Fuel Gas Composition Correction Curve for Heat
Consumption Based on LHV and H/C ratio 0.996

0.992
WOBBE INDEX 46 48 50 52 54 56 58
Wobbe Index, MJ/Nm3

The Wobbe Index is an indicator of the quality of a fuel gas and

is mathematically described by equation (1). Figure 3
Example Fuel Gas Composition Correction Curve for
Output Based on Wobbe Index
HHV
WI = (1)
SG fuel

It is expressed in this paper in SI units (MJ/Nm3), but can also

be expressed in US units (BTU/Sft3). The definition of
equation 1 says that for any given orifice size, all gas mixtures
with the same Wobbe Index will deliver the same amount of

3 Copyright 2010 by General Electric Company

 Effect on Gas Fuel Composition on Heat Consumption (WI)
1.008
Heat Consumption Correction Factor
1.004
1
0.996
0.992
46 48
Figure 4
Example Fuel Gas Composition Correction Curve for Heat
Consumption Based on Wobbe Index
TEST METHODOLOGY
This analytical study was done on the basis of a gas turbine
simple cycle, using a thermodynamic model that represents a
typical GE PG9371 gas turbine. In order to compare
performance results to specifications, measured performance
has to be corrected to specified reference conditions. As
previously mentioned, these are normally specified in a
contract and may reflect typical site conditions. The ambient
reference conditions used in this study were standard reference
conditions. The reference fuel composition is shown in Table
1.
Constituent
CH4
C2H6
C3H8
C4H10 (i)
C5H12 (i)
N2
CO2
Reference and Example Fuel Composition
Two sets of correction curves were generated for this study
using the reference conditions one set using the Wobbe Index
and the other using the LHV-H/C method. Each set consisted
of an output curve and a heat consumption curve, these are
shown in Figures 1-4. The value on the y-axis of these graphs
is the correction factor. The correction factors obtained are
applied to performance parameters to determine corrected
performance. Any error realized here is directly proportional to
the performance parameter to which it is applied. In this study,
output and heat consumption were evaluated. All correction
curves and calculated data pertain only to the PG9371 gas
turbine model at the specified reference conditions. A similar
correction curve result would be expected from other gas
turbine models.
To establish the feasibility of using the Wobbe Index as a
correction parameter it is necessary to, i) show that the error is
y = -0.00090222x + 1.04755663
reduced and, ii) determine the regions where the highest bias
error will occur. An initial random set of 12 fuel gas
compositions were selected that comprised of a H/C range of
3.65-3.95, LHV 19100-19900BTU/lb, and Wobbe Index 50.5-
53.5MJ/Nm3. A systematic investigation of the minimum and
maximum range of different fuel constituents was performed.
50 52 54 56 58 The main constituents whose range was explored were
Wobbe Index, MJ/Nm3 methane, ethane, and the inert gases of nitrogen and carbon
dioxide. Methane and ethane are normally the greatest in
proportion and have the highest heating values of common
hydrocarbons in natural gas fuel mixtures. Nitrogen and
carbon dioxide are common inerts in fuel gas and are normally
present in small amounts; however, they have a significant
adverse affect on the heating value of a fuel. By investigating
these specific constituents ranges, a wider variation of fuel
compositions were used to test the Wobbe Index method, and
their resulting effects were explored. The ranges chosen for
these constituents is shown in Table 2. The values that are
within these ranges reflect what a normal gas turbine operating
on natural gas would experience. Other higher hydrocarbons
present in smaller amounts were also varied as a result of the
way test cases were chosen. As a constituent range was
explored, all other constituents would change by an equally
divided amount to keep the total composition constant.
Constituent Range %
CH4 85.30 98.00
Reference % Example % C2H6 0 - 7.29
85.3 86.47 N2 0- 4.83
7.29 6.00 CO2 0- 4.00
1.73 1.73 Table 2
0.66 0.50 Fuel constituent ranges explored
0.19 0.30
4.59 2.00 Each test case in this study had a unique fuel composition; it
0.24 3.00 was different from all other test cases. It simulated a potential
Table 1 fuel analysis that came back from the lab in which thermal
performance results were to be computed from. A total of 576
test cases were carried out in this analytical study. These test
cases covered a range of LHV from 18000-21370BTU/lb, H/C
from 3.55-4.00, and WI from 47.5-57.2MJ/Nm3. This range
represents a maximum deviation of 9% from the design LHV
value.
An example of the process to compare the accuracy of the two
methods is presented below. This example was demonstrated
for output only, since the same process is applicable to heat
consumption and can be done easily.
4 Copyright 2010 by General Electric Company
Example Effect of Gas Fuel Composition on Output (WI)

Starting with the example fuel composition in Table 1, it is

evaluated to obtain the following values: LHV=19147BTU/lb,
H/C=3.773, and WI=51.47MJ/Nm3. Applying these values to 1.008

the correction curve for output based on LHV-H/C (Figure 5),

Output Correction Factor

interpolation at the test LHV gives the corresponding 1.004

correction factors for each H/C curve (blue values). Next, 1.001564 y = -0.00126198x + 1.06651230
interpolation at the test H/C between the curves gives the final 1
correction factor of 1.0017669 (red value) for the LHV-H/C
method. 0.996

51.47
Effect of Gas Fuel Composition on Output (LHV-H/C) 0.992
46 48 50 52 54 56 58
1.012 Wobbe Index, MJ/Nm3
H/C=4: y = 1.4375334E-10x2 - 8.4985982E-06x +1.1148614E+00

H/C=3.75: y = 1.4520122E-10x2 - 8.5430996E-06x + 1.1118051E+00

1.008 H/C=3.56: y = 1.4513435E-10x2 - 8.5303894E-06x +1.1088243E+00

Figure 6
Interpolation of Fuel Gas Composition Correction Curve
Output Correction Factor

1.0017669 @ H/C=3.773
1.004847 for Output Based on Wobbe Index
1.004

1.001462 To make a comparison of the accuracies, the correction factor

1 from each method must be compared to a measured correction
0.998700 H/C=4
factor. This measured value is taken as the true value and is
0.996
H/C=3.75
determined from a thermodynamic model prediction. Here,
H/C=3.56
error is defined as the difference between the measured value
19147
0.992 and correction curve value. By comparing the error from each
17500 18500 19500 20500 21500 method, one test case can be evaluated. In the example test
LHV, BTU/lb
case, the measured correction factor was 1.000196. The
Figure 5 resulting error for the LHV-H/C method and WI method were
Interpolation of Fuel Gas Composition Correction Curve 0.157% and 0.137%, respectively.
for Output Based on LHV and H/C

The correction factor from the Wobbe Index method is then RESULTS
determined. By applying the calculated Wobbe Index to the
correction curve for output based on Wobbe Index (Figure 6), a Correction factors were compiled for all 576 test cases, as was
single interpolation gives the final correction factor of their error relative to the measured value for each case. Table 2
1.001564. This method requires fewer interpolations and is shows the comparison of the minimum, maximum, mean, and
overall simpler. standard deviation of error between the LHV-H/C and Wobbe
Index methods. The maximum error for output was reduced by
more than a quarter from 0.25% to 0.18%, while the mean error
was slightly reduced from 0.104% to 0.097%. Maximum error
for heat consumption was nearly halved from 0.11% to 0.05%
when using the Wobbe Index method. Mean error was reduced
slightly also from 0.044% to 0.038%. Overall, it was shown
that using the Wobbe Index method reduced the maximum
error, mean error, and standard deviation.

5 Copyright 2010 by General Electric Company

 Min Max Mean Std Effect of Gas Fuel Composition on Output (WI, Lines of Constant CO2)
Dev
Output WI 0.001 0.185 0.098 0.050 1.008 CO2=0: y = -0.00127266x + 1.06715898

LHV- CO2=1: y = -0.00126886x + 1.06657728

0.000 0.251 0.104 0.070
H/C CO2=2: y = -0.00128287x + 1.06690727

1.004 CO2=3: y = -0.00128207x + 1.06649322

Heat WI 0.000 0.051 0.039 0.016

Output Correction Factor

CO2=4: y = -0.00127813x + 1.06593463
Consumption LHV-
0.000 0.112 0.044 0.030
H/C 1

Table 3
Error (%) from correction curves using Wobbe Index and
H/C methods (all 576 test cases) 0.996
CO2=4
CO2=3
CO2=2
Error due to interpolation was quantified to find out whether it CO2=1 CO2=0
0.992
accounted for a significant portion of the error when utilizing 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59

the LHV-H/C method. Referring to the correction curves in Wobbe Index, MJ/Nm3

Figures 1 and 2, the correction factors for points on the Figure 7

H/C=3.75 curve were determined in two ways. It was taken
from the measured value when the correction curve was
generated (read on curve) and also determined by interpolation.
When compared, a low error due to interpolation was found; it
was approximately 0.007% for output and 0.005% for heat
consumption. These results are shown in Table 4. It was
concluded that it was not a significant factor in the LHV-H/C
method having greater error.
Fuel Gas Composition Correction Curve for Output Based
on Wobbe Index with Lines of Constant CO2
Effect of Gas Fuel Composition on Heat Consumption (WI, Lines of Constant
CO2)
CO2=0: y = -0.00090356x + 1.04764941
1.006
CO2=1: y = -0.00090731x + 1.04772841
Heat Consumption Correction Factor

CO2=2: y = -0.00092646x + 1.04858814

CO2=3: y = -0.00093480x + 1.04890018
CO2=4: y = -0.00094125x + 1.04911936
LHV= LHV= LHV=
1.002
18214 19649 21163
Output Factor read on
1.0044 1.0000 0.9960
curve
Factor 0.998
1.0043 0.9999 0.9560 CO2=4
interpolation CO2=3
CO2=2
Delta (%) 0.007 0.007 0.007 CO2=1 CO2=0
Heat Factor read on 0.994
1.0031 1.0000 0.9972 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59
Consumption curve Wobbe Index, MJ/Nm3
Factor
1.0030 0.9999 0.9972
interpolation Figure 8
Delta (%) 0.005 0.005 0.005 Fuel Gas Composition Correction Curve for Heat
Table 4 Consumption Based on Wobbe Index with Lines of
Interpolation error from LHV-H/C correction curves Constant CO2

During analysis of the 576 test cases, a clear correlation was
found between the error and CO2 content utilizing both
methods. High CO2 content of the fuel was observed to drive a
higher error. This observation was further examined by
creating new correction curves utilizing Wobbe Index as a
bivariate with CO2, depicted in Figures 7 and 8 (Figure 7 is for
output, Figure 8 is for heat consumption). CO2 is held at a
constant percentage when generating each curve. Each curve
represents a one percent increment in the amount of CO2,
starting from zero to four percent. The same 576 test cases
were re-run using this updated correction curve.
Table 5 shows the results from the Wobbe Index correction
curves with lines of constant CO2 (WI-CO2). For comparison,
results are also displayed in the same table from the single
Wobbe Index curve and LHV-H/C methods. There was
substantial improvement in maximum error, mean error, and
standard deviation. By adding the CO2 component to the
Wobbe Index method, maximum and mean error for output was
reduced from 0.18% to 0.05% and 0.098% to 0.034%,
respectively. Overall, from the LHV-H/C method to WI-CO2
method, maximum error was reduced from 0.25% to 0.05% and
mean error reduced from 0.10% to 0.03%. Similar
improvement was seen when applied to heat consumption.

6 Copyright 2010 by General Electric Company

 Min Max Mean Std as other fuel types including low BTU syngas, biofuels, and
Dev liquefied natural gas.
Output LHV-
0.000 0.251 0.104 0.070
H/C
WI 0.001 0.185 0.098 0.050 REFERENCES
WI-CO2 0.000 0.054 0.034 0.012 1. AGA Bulletin No. 36
Heat LHV-
0.000 0.112 0.044 0.030
Consumption H/C
WI 0.000 0.051 0.039 0.016
WI-CO2 0.000 0.032 0.019 0.006
Table 5
Error from correction curves using LHV-H/C curve, single
WI curve, and WI curve with lines of constant CO2 (all 576
test cases)

To confirm the significance of these findings, statistical

analysis was done between the LHV-H/C and WI-CO2
methods. Based on a 2-sample t-test and paired t-test, the
probability at 95% confidence interval showed the WI-CO2
yielding a statistically significant lower error.

CONCLUSION

Significant findings were realized in this analytical study. Fuel

composition correction curves based on Wobbe Index showed
decreased mean error and maximum error as well as lower
standard deviation compared to the correction curves based on
lower heating value and hydrogen to carbon ratio. The Wobbe
Index method also simplified the process of determining the
final correction factor by collapsing all data into one curve.
This reduced the amount of interpolation required to calculate
the correction factor. The error introduced by interpolation,
however, did not present a significant barrier to using multiple
curves.

Additional study was done on the Wobbe Index method based

on the observation that error increased with higher CO2 content
of the fuel. By utilizing a Wobbe Index curve with multiple
lines of constant CO2, the error was further reduced by a
significant amount.

The methodologies tested in this study would be useful in

updating current practices of fuel composition correction.
Utilizing the Wobbe Index with CO2 lines would undoubtedly
produce the most accurate results, but at the cost of working
with more complicated graphs with the need to interpolate
results. Whether this method or the single Wobbe Index curve
is used, both have been shown to produce results with lower
error.

This study is applicable to a relatively normal range of fuel

constituents for natural gas. Future objectives would be to test
and validate this method on expanded test compositions as well

7 Copyright 2010 by General Electric Company